Race-by-race preview and tips for Tuesday’s meeting at Port Macquarie

1 hour ago 1

John Schell

March 23, 2026 — 6:00pm

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

4. Kissavos is resuming from a spell here for a new stable having been placed in one of seven starts. He is a recent Coffs Harbour trial winner and looks set to perform well here fresh. 1. Colorado Tycoon is also having his first start for a new stable and bears close watching here in the new region. 8. Farnciful ran well enough when a beaten favourite at Taree when resuming from a spell and looks to have the talent to give this a big shake. 3. Cerano Magic debuts here on the back of four trials and a bold showing would not surprise.
How to play it: Kissavos WIN.

Race 2

4. Irish Dane is a mare on debut after having two trials and she won the latest of them at Taree. She has the advantage of the inside barrier here and looks set to make an immediate impact in her career. 5. Sirsa Nuwa is having her first start for a new stable having finished second at Yarra Valley when last produced. She should be in the thick of things. 10. Miss Como ran well when second at Coffs Harbour two starts ago and then was midfield at the same track last time out. 11. Ms Hubble is a former Victorian on debut for the new stable after a recent trial and can make an impact first-up from a spell.
How to play it: Irish Dane WIN.

Racing returns to Port Macquarie on Tuesday with an eight-race card.Getty Images

Race 3

14. Varius had two trials before debuting with a midfield finish at Taree and then followed that up with a fourth at Tamworth at her only other start. She has the potential to run a bold race here. 9. Cool Summer Nights has been placed in both runs since resuming and is from a form stable. 1. Chistota has finished second in each of his latest two starts and warrants thought, while 4. Bobbiwaa was a last start Taree second placegetter that can figure again.
How to play it: Varius EACH WAY.

Race 4

1. Contaldo has had a number of stables since arriving in Australia and has shown potential. He was midfield at Taree when having his first start in this region when last produced and should be better for that hit-out. 2. Disco Prince ran well when a last start fourth at Muswellbrook and can show up again here with a repeat. 3. Dundee Tales has been racing well and hasn’t been far away in recent starts and looks a leading contender. 9. Castelle was a winner here three starts ago and then ran second here before a last start eighth at Newcastle.
How to play it: Contaldo WIN.

Race 5

3. Crathie Kirk ran well in her first two starts before breaking through to score a solid maiden win at Scone last time out. She only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out again. 1. Tides Turning has been placed in both recent runs and can show up in the money again. 2. Shoutaboutit was placed at Gosford when resuming and can lift on a last start Hawkesbury eighth. 4. Ofcourseiam has bright place prospects on the strength of recent solid form.
How to play it: Crathie Kirk WIN.

Race 6

4. Excessor won at Tamworth at his second run in good style when starting as an odds-on favourite. He looks open to further improvement and should be prominent again with a repeat. 3. He’s Cool was a winner last start Wyong and warrants respect with the runner-up being a subsequent winner. 2. Master Zous also scored at Wyong when last produced and has bright prospects. 1. Zoucratic is resuming from a spell and his only win from six starts was in maiden grade at Newcastle in October.
How to play it: Excessor WIN.

Race 7

2. What A Rush is a talented sprinter that won well at Taree three starts ago by a narrow margin. She failed in a Country Championships Qualifier before a last start third at Taree and gets her chance to bounce back to winning form. 1. Crowie’s Shout was a Gold Coast winner last August and hasn’t raced since. He’s had two trials leading into this and won the latest of them 4. Bjorn Ironside wasn’t beaten too far when fifth at this track last month and can be thereabouts here without surprising. 8. The Piccolino resumed with a sixth at Taree and should be improved by that hit-out.
How to play it: What A Rush WIN.

Race 8

3. Steely Girl was a winner at this track three starts ago and was then close-up when fourth at Taree before a seventh at Taree when last produced. She’s drawn well here and can show up again. 1. Talana had been racing well with two placings at Taree and Coffs Harbour before failing at Coffs Harbour last time out. An improvement is on the cards. 2. Bonus Tempus was midfield at Taree when last produced and while he doesn’t win often, he can make an impact without surprising. 6. Amarone hasn’t been too far away in his latest runs and is far from the worst here.
How to play it: Steely Girl WIN.